Programmable Display Device Secure Data Access via Memory Card Authentication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing programmable display devices face issues with unauthorized access and limited data usage when using detachable external storage media, as current security measures restrict authorized access to image data, preventing users from using data on intended devices.

Innovation Solution

A programmable display device with a self-identifier and an external storage medium that includes identifier and setting-information files, featuring detection sections to authenticate and authorize data access, allowing users to restrict or permit data usage based on device-specific or universal access settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If data is stored on a detachable external storage medium for ease of copying, then data portability and ease of use are improved, but security against unauthorized access and copying is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata portabilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage medium is divided into multiple areas: a first storage area containing data that can be freely copied, and a second storage area containing data that cannot be copied. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of data portability (first area) and security (second area) by separating their functions spatially within the same storage medium.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If security measures are implemented to prevent unauthorized copying, then data security is improved, but ease of authorized data copying is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidease of authorized copying
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different quality attributes are applied to different parts of the storage medium. The first storage area has the quality of being freely copyable, while the second storage area has the quality of being protected from copying. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing authorized copying where permitted while maintaining security where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If data is stored on a non-detachable flash memory, then security against unauthorized removal is improved, but ease of data copying and transfer between devices is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoiddata copying
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable storage medium serves multiple functions: it provides secure data storage when attached to authorized devices, enables easy data copying between devices through detachment and reattachment, and allows selective protection of different data areas. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by combining the security of non-detachable storage with the copying ease of detachable storage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2843581B1Programmable display device
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC JAPAN HLDG LTD
  • EP2843581B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843581B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A programmable display device main body includes an address file detecting section for detecting whether a memory card stores a MAC address file, a password file detecting section for detecting whether the memory card stores a password file, and an activation control section for reading data from the memory card. The activation control section does not read data in a case where the memory card stores neither a MAC address file nor a password file.